LoyalistTV Blogs

Went to watch a bandy game and took a gondola up to the alpine ski venue.

So my day off was an adventure! A group of us took a few cabs over to the Kazakhstan flea market. It was an interesting ride because we went from the city area to an area that looked like the slums. The market was HUGE and that was only one building. It was freezing inside the building. Even though it was +5 outside it felt like -10 inside. I picked up a couple of things for my family, and then we decided to head back. We weren’t sure how to contact a cab, and we were told not to flag cabs down so we decided to take a bus. The bus was PACKED and they still packed in more and more people it was nuts! We soon got off the bus and started walking for around 30 mins. The group split up and some went to the mega mall but I went back to the hotel with a few people. I heard the mega mall was like the Eaton centre and had a Lasenza and a Lush and other stores we have as well. So I was sort of happy I missed out on the mall because I was more interested in going to places that would not be in Canada.

The day after (Monday) we had two games. The second game between Japan and Kazakhstan was really exciting. Kazakhstan won and they are the current leaders in the tournament. Today North Korea and South Korea played first and you could guess already that nothing was going to happen in that game. Next was China versus Japan and Japan won with 20 seconds left in OT. Also a very exciting game. So the top teams are now Japan and Kazakhstan.

I have improved a lot at AD-ing from the first game. I’m very proud of myself, and I have received good feedback from others, it’s a very good feeling.  Becoming an AD is something I want to perfect because I hope to become one when school is finished. The experience I am getting out of this trip is amazing, I've learned so much just from sitting in the control room for 5 days.

Tomorrow everyone is travelling to the mountains on our day off to watch a game (I forget the name of it) that is like Lacrosse on ice. The rink is right in mountains, which is an experience I don’t want to miss. Afterwards, I was asked by the producer to join himself, the director, the floor AD and a select few to go back to the arena for the rehearsals of the ending ceremony. The ending ceremony is on Saturday I believe which I will not be there for, my flight leaves at 3:55am Saturday.

Crew Call Thursday is at 9am until 8pm, Friday is my last day off and I’ll be packing my life away, so I think this may be my last blog. Once again, thanks everyone for the love and support, it means the world.

But now it’s time to get some well-deserved sleep!

So I finished my first day covering women's hockey. It turned out that I wasn't needed so much as a runner, so they had me AD the first game! I was very excited because it's something I am interested in and it would give me more experience. I sat beside the producer in the control room and I was very nervous. Since it was the first game and we didn't know what to expect, we had to wing it for parts of the game. I felt I did a pretty good job! Besides counting down the show, I also photocopy and hand out team rosters and runsheets, I help the producer out with anything he needs, and I make notes so we can improve each game. I have met many new people, some from France, some from Kazakhstan, many from England, and of course people from all over Canada. 

Tomorrow is my day off, so the girls are going out shopping. I can't wait to see what I can find because there are many interesting things here. And if anyone has been to the pacific mall in Canada, it's a lot like the malls here.
 
Since being here, I appreciate a lot more of what I have back home. Most bathrooms, you need to pay to use them, also the air here isn't as clear as it is back home. It's very smokey and smells like car exhaust everywhere which is giving me a sore throat! The military also goes through our hotel rooms and the rooms we use at the arena which is kind of scary, but the Kazakhstan people are very nice and they seem very interested in what it's like in Canada. 

I read my comments this morning and it means SO much to hear from everyone, I really appreciate it.I'm still keeping my eye out for Borat, but haven't found him yet!


Oh yes, and did I mention the vodka ranges from $4-$12 american? :) 

I MADE IT!
So after the 8 hour plane ride to Germany, a 4 hour wait in Frankfurt, another 7 hour flight to Almaty, and 2 days later, I am here. Let me just say I have gotten little sleep, but I'm very excited to be here. 

I showed up at my hotel at 2am (Friday) and woke up to beautiful mountains outside my room. (which is an awesome room by the way!)

So today we have our first orientation at noon today (which is 1pm in Canada) followed by a quick rundown of our jobs while we are here. After that we get to go back for a few hours and then back again to start our first game at 5pm. I have been told we are covering another game on Saturday night and then on Sunday, I get a day off.

I miss everyone already, my parents, my sister, my boyfriend and of course everyone at school! Thank you for the support.

"Kazakhstan is the greatest country in the world, all other countries are run by little girls. Kazakhstan is number one exporter of potassium, Other Central Asian countries have inferior potassium." - Borat Sagdiyev

I'm sorry, I had to start this blog off with a Borat quote. So it's the night before I leave and I know I probably won't sleep much. CBC Sports has asked me to be a runner/program assistant for the Asian Winter Games and join them in Almaty Kazakhstan.This is my first time leaving North America, my first time flying by myself but not my first time being a runner/program assistant. I shouldn't be nervous right? Wrong. I am super nervous, but also very excited because I've worked for CBC Sports before and I know how much fun it's going to be.
 
I have learned a lot this year working for the Canadian Broadcasting company. I enjoy being a program assistant because I am able to see how everything is done behind the scenes. Whether I'm in the studio, the control room or with the editors, I always observe my surroundings. Dean was right referring back to the Asian Games in China - Preparation is everything! Everyday is a new learning experience and I STILL cannot believe I am this lucky to go to such an interesting country.

Honestly I never imagined myself going to Kazakhstan, I mean you all have seen Borat right? Who would want to go visit a deserted land full of Gypsies and hairy men with weird lime green swim suits? Well for the record, Kazakhstan is no where near that! I hope I get a chance to soak in the culture while I'm there and take tons of pictures.

It still hasn't hit me yet, and I know it won't until my two feet are standing on Kazakhstan ground.  

See ya'll in 10 days!

Watch this Space for Alison's Blog from Kazakhstan